Court Report

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — An underage individual was arrested on June 29, 2023 when the Fagatogo police station received a call about a male who allegedly assaulted his girlfriend in Alao by punching her in the mouth with a closed fist. 

Responding officers arrived on the scene and were immediately approached by the caller who verbally stated to police officers that he is the pulenu’u of Alao and stated that the main eyewitness of the alleged incident called him saying that an unnamed male had laid hands on his niece, who is the victim in this case. 

The pulenu’u stated that “in the village of Alao, when they encounter any situation like this, it must be reported to the police immediately,” then the pulenu’u proceeded to call out to a female who was sitting in front of the house, later identified as the victim and then pointed to the direction of the male — later identified as the defendant — who was sitting on a chair within view. 

One of the officers then interviewed the victim, and the victim stated that she and the defendant were sitting in front of their house listening to music, and he was drinking beer. The victim states that he made a comment about her dad, to which she replied, “her father is in America,” and the defendant became annoyed and asked the victim if she was “making fun of the fact that his dad was born in Western Samoa while her dad was born here in American Samoa?” 

Allegedly the defendant then became furious and pushed the victim, and preceded to continue their squabble inside the house where a verbal altercation ensued to the point he punched the victim in the face with a closed fist, causing her mouth to bleed. 

Another officer met and interviewed the male, and — according to the report — the defendant spontaneously said that he did not do anything wrong and that he was arguing with his girlfriend, and he slapped her on the shoulder. The defendant was then detained and transported to the Fagaitua substation where they further questioned him. 

After arriving at the Fagaitua Police Substation, the defendant was Mirandized and he waived his rights to answer questions and provided a written statement.

In his written statement he allegedly said he was listening to music and drinking in front of the house, when the music ended, he called his girlfriend who was inside the house with her aunty, to come play music from the laptop because he does not know how to use it.

He further stated that his girlfriend got mad and started swearing at him and that’s when he slapped her on the shoulder. 

The defendant was booked and confined to TCF and is being charged with 3 criminal counts – one count in private peace disturbance, one of assault in the third degree, and one of the underage consumption of alcohol.

Bail posted for the defendant was set at $500. 

MORE UNDERAGE ALCOHOL COSUMPTION

Two 18 year olds were taken into custody by DPS on July 9, 2023 at 9:51 PM when an employee of Four Season Mart in Nu’uuli called the Tafuna police station and reported the incident. 

Court filings allege that the two individuals, identified as Malachi Manuma and Taotasioatoa Tuigamala, stole a 12 pack of bud light from the store and proceeded to run out the store without paying. The statement from the employee also says that Manuma was the one holding the 12 pack of beer while Tuigamala followed behind him as they made their getaway. 

When officers arrived at the Tafuna police station, Manuma and Tuigamala were both escorted into the station to be processed and booked. When they asked Tuigamala if he had any property in his possession, Tuigamala allegedly pulled out a dab pen, eye drops and a Sadie’s by the Sea key card and handed the items over to officers. 

One of the responding officers reported detecting a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the dab pen and that prompted them to call the Vice and Narcotics Unit, who were made aware of the situation. 

A sergeant of Vice and Narcotics then arrived at the police station and processed Tuigamala, and afterwards both individuals were transported to TCF to await the next sitting of court. 

Both individuals are being charged with 2 counts – one count of stealing and one count of underage consumption of alcohol. Bail for Manuma and Tuigamala is set at $300 each.